Tuesday, February 15, 1994
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VOLUME 133 NUMBER 022 1st SESSION 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, February 15, 1994 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent HOUSE OF COMMONS Tuesday, February 15, 1994 The House met at 10 a.m. Senate and House of Commons and of the legislative assembly of each province to which the amendment applies; _______________ NOW THEREFORE the House of Commons resolves that an amendment to the Constitution of Canada be authorized to be made by proclamation issued by His Excellency the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada in accordance with Prayers the schedule hereto. _______________ SCHEDULE AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF CANADA 1. The Schedule to the Prince Edward Island Terms of Union is amended by adding ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS thereto, after the portion that reads ‘‘And such other charges as may be incident to, and connected with, the services [Translation] which by the ‘‘British North America Act, 1867’’ appertain to the General Government, and as are or may be allowed to the other Provinces;’’ BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT the following: Hon. David Anderson (for the Minister of Industry) moved ‘‘That a fixed crossing joining the Island to the mainland may be substituted for the for leave to introduce Bill C–12, an act to amend the Canada steam service referred to in this Schedule; Business Corporations Act and to make consequential amend- That, for greater certainty, nothing in this Schedule prevents the imposition of tolls ments to other acts. for the use of such a fixed crossing between the Island and the mainland, or the private operation of such a crossing.’’ (Motions deemed adopted, bill read for the first time and Citation printed.) 2. This Amendment may be cited as the Constitution Amendment, 1993 (Prince Edward Island). * * * He said: Mr. Speaker, I am happy that you have read a fair [English] portion of the amendment which we intend to discuss today. The amendment is very specific with regard to the terms of reference QUESTIONS ON THE ORDER PAPER between Canada and Prince Edward Island. Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons): Mr. Speaker, I I apprise the new Speaker, who has just taken his place in the ask that all questions be allowed to stand. chair, that this is a very specific amendment. Therefore I would hope that comments all hon. members make have some rele- The Speaker: Shall all questions stand? vance to the subject matter which we are dealing with and not Some hon. members: Agreed. the broad general topic of constitutional reform. One hundred and thirty years ago the Fathers of Confedera- _____________________________________________ tion gathered in Prince Edward Island and created the concept of Canada. Thanks to their genius Canada has flourished through- GOVERNMENT ORDERS out the 20th century. Today Prince Edward Island seeks a small but significant amendment to its terms of union with Canada. [English] This improvement will create the opportunity for our smallest province to take its rightful place in the 21st century. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND FIXED LINK (1010 ) Hon. David Dingwall (Minister of Public Works and Gov- ernment Services and Minister for the Atlantic Canada On behalf of the Government of Canada I am honoured to Opportunities Agency) moved: place before the House of Commons a formal resolution to amend the terms of union between the Government of Canada WHEREAS section 43 of the Constitution Act, 1982 provides that an amendment to the Constitution of Canada may be made by proclamation issued by the Governor and Prince Edward Island which I am certain all members of this General under the Great Seal of Canada where so authorized by resolutions of the House will want to support in the deliberations to follow. 1343 COMMONS DEBATES February 15, 1994 Government Orders The amendment, albeit short and straightforward, is impor- The agreement is an innovative, prudent and intelligent tant for Prince Edward Island, important for the entire Atlantic approach to the building of public infrastructure. The agreement region and important for Canada. breaks new ground in government–private sector partnerships. Investment of taxpayers’ dollars is limited but also protected. The proposed amendment provides the necessary constitu- tional framework for the replacement of the ferry service The people of Canada will not be responsible for footing the between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick by a bridge bill for delays or cost overruns relating to this initiative. The across the Northumberland Strait. More significantly, the total contribution of the Government of Canada will consist of amendment provides a bridge for the future. 35 subsidy payments to the private sector development. The payments will be made annually at a cost of $42 million indexed The fixed crossing will allow Prince Edward Island to become to inflation. a full partner in Canada’s economy. The fixed crossing will spur Atlantic Canada’s economy in the short term and create real This formula effectively caps the cost and limits to 35 years hope for viable long term economic growth. the financial responsibilities of the Government of Canada to meet its constitutional obligation to the people of Prince Edward Construction of the 13 kilometre concrete bridge means new Island. skills, new technology, new jobs, new enthusiasm and new prospects for the future. By contrast, pursuing the option of the ferry service indefi- nitely would subject the taxpayer to undue and unexpected cost The amendment before Parliament today will allow a project without any reprieve in sight. As was made crystal clear by the to proceed which is fiscally sound and financially responsible, a Prime Minister both in our election red book and in the recent project which represents thoughtful public transportation speech from the throne, the government’s number one priority is policy, a project which sets new standards for environmental job creation. The fixed link and this particular initiative will do review, assessment and management. that. It will create jobs. The federal government is bound by the 1873 terms of union (1015) with Prince Edward Island to provide continuous communica- tions between the island and the mainland. Under the terms of the agreement, 96 per cent of bridge construction jobs will be filled by Atlantic Canadians. In total Since Confederation this obligation has been fulfilled by a over 3,500 jobs will be created in the three and a half year ferry service. The province of Prince Edward Island now wishes construction period. Further, at least 2,000 indirect jobs will be to strengthen, modernize and improve dramatically the means created as a result of spin–offs. That addresses clearly and by which the island is linked continuously with mainland unequivocally the government’s intent with regard to its priority Canada. of job creation. For that reason the federal government and the Government of The contracts also specify that 70 per cent of the total Prince Edward Island signed an agreement committing the two procurement requirements will be provided by Atlantic Cana- governments to make the necessary constitutional change to dians. Given the size and complexity of the undertaking, exten- permit the ferry service to be replaced by a bridge. sive spin–offs will offer Atlantic Canadians the chance to develop new construction, management and environmental The amendment before us today is the last in a series of protection skills. legislative steps required to enable Prince Edward Island to make that move forward. In the spring of 1993 Parliament What is most encouraging is that the economic benefits will debated and then passed Bill C–110, an act respecting the continue to flow long into the future. The tourism industry Northumberland Strait crossing. estimates that once the bridge is in operation, the number of people visiting P.E.I. will increase approximately 25 per cent. It I would be remiss in my opening remarks if I did not pay will open up new opportunities for even more employment in the tribute to those members of my own caucus who participated in vitally important hospitality industry of that province and other that debate and on previous occasion whereby the House deemed provinces as well. it appropriate to pass Bill C–110. The Prince Edward Island trucking industry will benefit to the I want to congratulate all members, some who are present, tune of some $10 million each year in time savings alone. Mr. some who are opposite, who participated in that debate. I wish to Speaker, you are very wise and very learned. I have no doubt you thank them sincerely. are probably a very well travelled individual. If you have taken or perhaps would like to take a trip in the immediate future to In June 1993 the Prince Edward Island legislature passed a Prince Edward Island, you would quickly understand why the resolution authorizing this amendment. In October an agree- trucking association is so much in favour of this initiative. It ment was signed by the federal government and Strait Crossing will decrease the time you will be parked at the ferry side Development Inc. to begin construction of a bridge linking waiting for the boat to transport you to the other side. Not only is Prince Edward Island to mainland Canada. it time saving but it is also an economic saving which will 1344 February 15, 1994 COMMONS DEBATES Government Orders enhance opportunities and provide many spin–offs for that to do. I cannot stress too strongly that the overall effect of the sector of our economy. bridge will be many immediate and long–term benefits. The bridge will contribute to an increasingly dynamic economy for The bridge will provide much greater certainty and reliability those of us who reside in Atlantic Canada.